Police in the Ashanti Region have begun investigations into Monday night’s ransacking of the office of 2012 Presidential Candidate Akwasi Addai Odike. Odike’s United Progressive Party (UFP) office in Kumasi was ransacked by unknown gunmen as they vandalised properties, his bodyguard told journalists. According to Francis Addae, the armed and heavily-built men shot into the outspoken politician’s saloon car. “I heard three gunshots,” he told Akoma FM’s Ekow Darko in an interview. He added that the masked assailants could not make Odike out despite him being in the office and “Odike managed to escape”. A report has been made to the police and investigations have begun, 3news.com can confirm. Odike has recently launched a spirited campaign against illegal mining in the Region and said to have mentioned the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as complicit. To express outrage and aversion against this allegation, Manhyia Palace performed rites to ostracise Odike from the Ashanti Kingdom. The attack is therefore said to be linked to this. Source: 3news.com

An investigation was or is being carried out over tax evasion deals involving two cargo trucks which loaded goods from the Aflao border in the Volta Region last year. A letter sighted by 3news.com and signed by then Deputy National Security Coordinator Edward Asomani urged the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, to investigate the deals. According to the letter, dated Thursday, October 21, 2021, a Customs Intelligence team led by John Agbawu with assistance from operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), intercepted the two cargo trucks at Dzorwulu, near the Fiesta Royale Hotel in Accra. The cargo trucks were suspected to have under-declared and misdescribed their goods at the Aflao border. Upon arrest, the trucks with registration numbers GW 6957-13 and GT 8502-16 were escorted to the Customs Laboratory Division at the Kotoka International Airport Roundabout for re-examination. “It was revealed, after the re-examination, that a substantial number of goods in the trucks were undeclared and thus, no duties were paid on same,” the letter said. But during the interrogation, the traders were said to be discourteous towards the officers with one allegedly placing a call to Colonel (rtd) Kwadwo Damoah, the Commissioner of Customs of GRA. Immediately, there was a call to Mr Agbawu from one Kojo Bonsu, who is said to be a Staff Officer of the Commissioner. “Further, Agbawu received another call from Adu Kyei, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, CD-GRA, who also gave similar instructions. “Additionally, the trader who placed the call to Col. Damoah recorded the arresting officers on video, to be forwarded to him.” The letter signed by Mr Asomani, who now acts as the National Security Coordinator, urged the GRA Commissioner-General to investigate the matter and report back to the Ministry. “Your outfit is further urged to take necessary steps to prevent senior officials from undermining the work of customs officers at the various custom checkpoints across the country.” Story by: Emmanuel Kwame Amoh

Officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) have withdrawn from the meter re-installation programme in Nuaso Old Town in the Lower Manya Krobo municipality following clashes said to have been instigated by residents on Monday, August 22. According to the ECG, there was resistance from residents as an ECG team in the company of some military officers visited the area to reinstall prepaid meters as part of a roadmap to restore power to the community. However, a woman is said to have threatened to pour hot oil on the team. Public Relations Officer of the Company Sakyibea Mensah indicated that a crowd massed up against the ECG team in some areas. “The military was able to retrieve a cutlass from one of those who were massing around the ECG people,” the PRO stated. She added that reports of constant verbal abuses against personnel have been noted and this has forced the team to withdraw from the town. “ECG condemns these attacks and unfortunate situations,” Madam Mensah said on Monday, August 22. “We keep calling for peace and calm so we can discharge our duties peacefully.” Story by: Emmanuel Kwame Amoh

Former presidential candidate of the United People’s Party (UFP) and political commentator, Akwasi Addae Odike has said been attacked by gunmen on Monday August 22. According to his bodyguard Francis Addae, “some unidentified group stormed his office with guns and vandalised some items at his office.” He also alleged the “armed group also shot into my saloon car.” “I heard three gunshots,” his body guard told Akoma FM’s Ekow Darko in an interview. He added that “Odike managed to escape.” Source: 3newscom|Ghana

Accra Hearts of Oak have completed the signing of forward Maxwell Abbey Quaye, according to Atinka FM Sports Journalist, Mohammed Shaban. The versatile forward inked down a three-year deal which runs until 2025. Abbey has been with with Accra Great Olympics since 2017 before joining the Phobians following the expiration of his contract. In the just ended 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season, he was Olympics top scorer with 10 goals in 27 appearances and in the previous campaign (2020/21), he scored 9 goals in 24 games. Abbey Quaye is currently on national duties with the Black Galaxies who are in Austria. Story by: Siaw Nartey

New Patriotic Party's Presidential candidate aspirant and veteran politician, Hon. Joe Ghartey, is billed to address student leaders at the University of Ghana. On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, the University of Ghana Students' Representative Council (UGSR) will host a program titled: 'The Dissect.' The event is to be held under the theme: 'Mobilizing For Ghana's Future: The Role of The Student In The Nations Development. Hon. Ghartey, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who is widely seen as a unifier in the NPP, is billed to deliver the keynote address at the event. The Essikado-Ketan Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Ghartey is credited with the rapid transformation and development of Ghana's Railway sector during his brief period as Railway Development Minister. Hon. Ghartey, an independent minded politician, is also known by the mantra “speak your mind but don’t be rude”. Meanwhile, George Opare Addo, National Youth Organizer of the NDC; Salam Mustapha, National Youth Organizer of the NPP; and Wisdom Ndukwe, UGSRC Vice President, are billed to also speak at the event on Wednesday. Credit: The African Entertainment

The Traditional Council of the Krobo land has called for neutral technical people to be contracted to assess the prepaid meters to ensure that the old debts have not been embedded in them before they are installed. Nene Olepeme Sakinor, Chief of Suinso Okwemya in the Manya Krobo explained to Alfred Ocansey on 3FM Sunrise Morning Show that based on past experience with the billing system by the ECG, the residents of the Krobo land cannot trust the ECG to programme the old debts on the new prepaid meters. To that end, he said, the installation of prepaid meters should be halted for the residents to be well educated on the workings of the prepaid meter. According to the traditional leader, they are not officially aware of the planned installation of prepaid meters because that is not what they are expecting now. “We saw a press release that now that the electricity has been restored, the installation of the prepaid meters is going to be resumed. We saw it three days ago,” he said. He iterated that the people of Krobo land are not opposing the installation of prepaid meters but the ways by which the ECG is using to install the prepaid is what they are against. Nene Olepeme Sakinor mentioned that residents are pessimistic that the problems of overbilling they faced with the postpaid meters would be encountered again with the prepaid that is why they are opposing it. “Even though the power has been restored, we still have problems with ECG. We suspect that these prepaid meters would be programmed to still charge us for the old debt” Nene opined. Meanwhile, the Director of the Yilo Krobo Municipal Health Directorate, Irina Ofei has stated that the installation of prepaid electricity meters in the Manya and Yilo Krobo municipalities is the right way to go since it would enable the residents to budget and regulate their electricity consumption. She revealed it was difficult for the hospital to operate for several days without electricity and expressed gratitude to the Municipal Chief Executive, Traditional Council and all those who helped to get the electricity restored. Irina Ofei also urged all stakeholders to cooperate to ensure that a lasting solution to the electricity issues in the municipality is attained. The ECG took Manya and Yilo Krobo Municipalities off the national power supply from 27 July, 2022 over disagreement on electricity bills. However, the electricity was restored on Friday 19 August around 8 PM after the intervention of the National Security. Credit: 3news.com

Casemiro has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United amid the 37-year-old's wish to leave Manchester United this summer. The 30-year-old will provide a much-needed upgrade to United's midfield after a disappointing start to the season, and he could make his debut away to Southampton next weekend. Real Madrid held a farewell press conference for Casemiro on Monday morning, in which the Brazil international became emotional at leaving behind a club he has represented for nine years, but he also spoke of his excitement at starting a new challenge. Casemiro said: “The Premier League is a competition I’ve always liked and always wanted to play in. What I’m looking for is to have a new challenge, a new league and a new culture. It’s true that they’re not in the Champions League right now, but I’m excited. I haven’t spoken with Cristiano Ronaldo yet, but I’m excited to play with him again. I’m so keen to get started, with the biggest club in England. If it was up to me, I’d play for them already tonight against Liverpool. But, I know I haven’t won anything there yet.” On Ronaldo's future, he said: “I hope Cristiano stays, I want to play with him again, he’s incredible" Story by: Matthew Hobkinson

Executive Director of the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah and four (4) others have donated an amount of GHC20,000 and some food stuff to The Ark Foundation at Haatso, a community in the Greater Accra Region. According to Maame Tiwaa, the kind gesture forms part of her 53rd birthday celebration. Speaking at a brief ceremony, Mame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said "Dr. Gariba is the brain behind this. He suggested that instead of spending our money in a way that will not yield any benefit, we should use our single spine to come and support your foundation" On his part, Director in-charge of ICT, Ghana Police Service, Baba Gariba said "When the idea came up, we felt the need to give back to the society but the issue was where do we go and do the presentation" "We noticed that we already had an existing relationship with The Ark Foundation and the work we do is actually dovetailed into what you do so there is that kind of symbiotic relationship" The birthday celebrants commended Executive Director of The Ark Foundation, Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye and her staff for their good work to humanity. He appealed to the leadership of The Ark Foundation to continue with its good works. Receiving the cash and food stuff, the Executive Director, The Ark Foundation, Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye thanked the birthday celebrants for their kind gesture. She appealed to them to continue extending their support to her Foundation. "The Police, Court, Medical People among others work with us because any case that come here has a multi purpose situations" "We get cases of incest, girls carrying pregnancies of their own fathers" "The people come here with many needs. Some may be from chalewote to looking for a job. So anytime someone says he or she is coming to support us, it opens heaven for us" Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye commended her staff for their hardwork. She assured them of great reward. Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye called on others to emulate the kind gesture of Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah and her friends. The other celebrants include; Chief Supt. Dr. Alex Ackon (OB/Gynaecologist Specialist, Police Hospital), Supt. Dr. Adwoa Nuro-Panin (Psychiatrist, Police Hospital), Director in-charge of ICT, Ghana Police Service, DCOP Vance Baba Gariba and ACP (Rtd.) Edem Hiadzi (Lister Hospital) Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

The Ghana National Fire Service has exhibited class as its men were on time to prevent fire from gutting the Head Office of Ghana Customs Service in Accra. According to sources, the Fire Service team rushed to the scene after they were notified of smoke emanating from one of the offices at the Customs Head office. In a video sighted by Thinknewsonline.com, two Fire tankers rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. The quick response has won the hearts of staffs at the Customs Head office. It is emerging that no casualties were recorded. Watch the video below: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Deputy Chief Executive Technical Operations Division, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Akua Owusu Amartey says her outfit is ready to eradicate the activities of Organised Criminal Groups in the country. According to her, she is confolident following the interest and preparation of participants for the Introduction to Criminal Intelligence Analysis programme. Madam Amartey explained that, enforcement officers participating in the training are not oblivious of the activities of present Criminal individuals and Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs). Speaking at the Introduction to Criminal Intelligence Analysis program in Accra, she said "We are confident that your interest and preparation for this training would synchronize with the objectives of the training and thus the expected outcomes shall be achieved. Enforcement officers participating in this training are not oblivious of the activities of present criminal individuals and Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs). She added that there have been several reports on falsified and sub-standard medicines, unwholesome food, unapproved herbal medicinal products, cosmetics, medical devices, and household chemical substances to enforcement team via media and in-person. She also noted that the inept of the know-how in intelligence-led law enforcement which is applicable in all areas of FDA’s regulatory mandate impeded officers from taking matters on or eventually apprehending offenders and seizing products. Madam Amartey stressed that, in the epoch of advanced Technology and open international market, where businesses and brands are susceptible to imitations and manipulations, the ability to effectively enforce regulatory clauses is dependent on the ability to decipher, analyze and evaluate criminal intelligence-related information, and make succinct inferences, deductions and conclusions. She hinted that the demand for the know-how has necessitated the need for this training in Criminal Intelligence and Investigation for staff of the Enforcement Directorate to step up their operational performances in enforcement activities. "Not long ago the FDA attained WHO maturity level three (3) in medical products regulations and the strive for a level four (4) maturity is attainable if we are able to effectively implement all enforcement clauses for medical regulatory products." "Even though WHO maturity is related to medical regulations, the tenacity to carry out our regulatory mandate effectively would influence and facilitate the attainment of level four (4) maturity in no time" The Deputy Chief Executive Technical Operations Division further mentioned that the FDA as a regulatory body is capable of not completely eradicating the activities of Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs) but can with the right expertise and without any manipulation, control the import, manufacturing, and advertising of all human-related consumables by strictly and firmly implementing and enforcing regulatory clauses backed by Ghana’s constitution that will seek not to compromise regulatory activities. Quoting Maya Angelou, Madam Amartey said “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better”. "Let us all note that we have come this far by what we have known and practiced. Now is the time to learn, unlearn and do better than before" She added that the training is a wake-up call for proactive steps to address and build capacity to mitigate regulatory challenges. "For the first time, the Enforcement Directorate staff is participating in a criminal Intelligence and Investigation training program, and we have the honor of having an expert consultants on Criminal Intelligence, Investigations and Crime Prevention as instructors and strong knowledgeable internal facilitators" "The training program has four modules. The first module, Introduction to Criminal Intelligence Analysis, has six iterations for six groups of thirty each." "Your participation in the subsequent modules would be subject to your knowledge-based performance in the previous module training you participated in." As part of its efforts to safeguard public health and safety amid global increased criminal activities, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) is rolling out a comprehensive capacity strengthening programme to help the Authority improve its enforcement activities with a focus on intelligence-led regulatory and enforcement regime. This is expected to yield improved outcomes as well as the efficient use of resources to counter the activities of organised crimes that threaten the health and safety of the people of Ghana and the sub-region as a whole. The FDA continuously upgrades its systems, procedures and practices to enable it consistently fulfil its mandate of ensuring public health and safety, through effective regulation of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, herbal medicines, household chemicals, tobacco and tobacco products. The dangers posed to public health and safety as a result of the criminal production and marketing of substandard, falsified, unwholesome, and non-performing regulated products, make a heightened attention on their movement in trade a justifiable adventure. Such criminal groups take advantage of the global nature of trade, weaknesses in collaboration among security agencies, regulatory authorities, border controls, weak and lenient sanctions, and huge gains they make out of their minimum investments. They are also known to employ advanced technologies to outwit detection and arrest. The programme includes a series of training events in intelligence and investigations, covering areas such as criminal intelligence analysis, criminal investigations, and strategic intelligence analysis. The series of training events would be organised in Accra and Kumasi to cover all the staff of the Enforcement Directorate in the Head Office and staff in the Regional Offices who undertake enforcement activities. The first of the series of training is scheduled for 15th to 19th August 2022 in Accra. Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith

Ghanaian Gospel Artiste, Worship Leader and Songwriter, Siisi Baidoo, has launched his much anticipated 'Revelation Album'. The Album was recorded in two phases; phase 1 at the Splendor concert in October 2021 & phase 2 at a supplementary recording in March 2022. The Brand New Album is a compilation of 14 Spirit-filled songs, ranging from deep-seated single worship songs and medleys to hot praise songs, with each carrying a unique tune and a message inspired by the Spirit of God. The album features great music gifts such as Philip Adzale, Sheila Joy, Sandra Boakye Duah, and two Nigerians; Theophilus Sunday & Tobi Osho. It also features two of the great budding gifts of the Crafted Nation family; Vivi Adjei & Maame Ama Ackaah-Gyasi. Illumination is the answer to our dark world and Siisi Baidoo hopes that God,through these songs, will make you a true revelation to this world. The Revelation Album is available for download on on all music platforms. Download and be blessed! Below is a video and pictures: Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith